TN130 : Investigation of the environmental impacts of the Alborz Sharghi coal washing plant using electromagnetic (VLF & EM34-3) geophysical method
Thesis > Central Library of Shahrood University > Mining, Petroleum & Geophysics Engineering > MSc > 2010
Authors:
F. Amirkhani Shiraz [Author], Ali Moradzadeh[Supervisor], Faramarz Doulati Ardejani[Supervisor], Ali Reza Arab-Amiri[Advisor]
Abstarct: Pollution associated with the waste materials produced by Alborz Sharghi coal washing plant has created many environmental problems. When pyrite in the waste materials is exposed to the atmosphere and moisture produces acid mine drainage (AMD). Pyrite oxidation causes change in the conductivity of surrounding rocks and groundwater, so the electromagnetc and electrical geophysical methods could be effectively used to map the polluted zones. Very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) method was carried out on 11 parallel profiles at approximate direction of east-west and on 2 profiles at approximate direction of north-south in downstream of the waste dump to detect likely polluted zones and their distribution in groundwater aquifer. Qualitative interpretation was performed on raw VLF data using the Fraser and the Karous-Hjelt filters. Quantitative interpretation was then performed with inversion of the tipper data. The results obtained from the interpretation of VLF-EM method indicate likely contaminated zones with a resistivity value lower than 25 Ω-m at intermediate depths and at depths below 40 m, especially in the east of the profiles. An electromagnetic survey was also conducted using EM34-3 system on 7 profiles at a approximate direction of east-west and match with VLF profiles. The two-dimensional (2D) and quasi-three-dimensional inversion modeling of EM34-3 data have been performed. In addition, two resistivity profiles at same direction of EM34-3 profiles were conducted. 2D modeles of EM34-3 methods related to some profiles indicate likely polluted zones at the depths below 45 m with a resistivity value lower than 25 Ω¬-m and more extension to the east, which have good agreement with the result of quasi-three-dimensional model. The modeling results from three methods indicate the contaminated zones at different locations with a resistivity value lower than 50 Ω-m, especially at the depths below 30 m in downstream of the waste dump. In general, we can conclude that with going far from the waste dump, from north to south (direction of groundwater flow), the pollution load reduces. The results obtained from this work have good agreement with the previous geochemical, hydrogeochemical and geophysical studies in the study area.
Keywords:
#Environmental pollution #Acid mine drainage (AMD) #Waste dump #Alborz Sharghi coal washing plant #VLF-EM method #EM34-3 method #Inverse modeling. Link
Keeping place: Central Library of Shahrood University
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